A friend of mine recently accompanied his friend (no, it wasn’t me) to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. My friend — let’s call him Dave — has no problem with alcohol. But Dave was deeply impacted by the group all the same, in particular the vulnerability, openness, humility, and welcome embrace extended by all those gathered. The impact was such that Dave said he’d love to return. Never mind that he has no problem with alcohol. This is a group of truly authentic people with whom he’d love to be a part. These are people that don’t put on airs. They are open, vulnerable, and they welcome every outsider, whether you’ve been sober for ten years or ten minutes.
Imagine if the church were like that local chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous. We could change the world.